Your nasal passages are the openings in your nose that extend from your nostrils to the top of your throat. They’re the reason you can breathe through your nose. For people with narrow nasal passageways, they may have trouble breathing through their noses when working out at Nautilus Fitness Center and experience other adverse health effects.
Health Effects of Narrow Nasal Passages
Signs and symptoms of narrow nasal passages include:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Loud breathing.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Sleep problems.
Babies and children with narrow nasal passages may additionally experience:
- Feeding difficulties.
- Ear pain.
Causes & Treatments for Narrow Nasal Passages
Narrow nasal passages may be caused by genetics, trauma, an underlying condition or the natural aging process. It’s essential to know the underlying cause of your narrow nasal passages in order to seek appropriate treatment.
Some of the most common causes of narrow nasal passages and their corresponding treatments are outlined below.
Deviated Septum
A deviated septum means the septum, which is the cartilage that divides your nostrils, is off-center. This can cause you to breathe more air through one side of the nose than the other. A deviated septum is corrected with a surgery known as septoplasty.
Nasal Valve Collapse
Nasal valve collapse refers to weakness or narrowing of the nasal valve, which is the narrowest part of the nasal airway. This condition is often caused by trauma to the nose. It’s corrected with a nasal valve dilator or surgery.
Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy
The turbinates are long, narrow passages that warm and moisten the air you breathe in through your nose. When the turbinates are enlarged, airflow can become blocked, and you may experience frequent nosebleeds and infections. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy can be managed with over-the-counter or surgical solutions.
Nasal Vestibular Stenosis
Nasal vestibular stenosis occurs when the vestibular lining of the nose becomes disrupted due to injury or infection, and it can cause trouble breathing through the nose. This condition is treated with nasal stents.
Choanal Atresia
Choanal atresia occurs at birth and means the back of the nasal cavity is blocked. If both sides are blocked, immediate surgery is required. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Spartanburg | Greer ENT & Allergy today.
